G’day from Australia!
From our own private campground on an island near the Great Barrier Reef,
to the stunning lakeshores and healing lagoons of Fraser Island, and now to
the sweeping sand and rolling surf of chilled out Byron Bay, we’ve been
hugging the coastline and gettin beachy as our Aussie journey continues
southward. In the words of a well-known Kiwi/Aussie comic whale, we are
“beached as!” (Okay, sorry.. that is a bit of an inside joke, but I
couldn’t resist)
With the open road and the sunshine as our travelling companions, we are
collecting sand in our luggage (and our ears, bellybuttons and swimsuits)
and getting used to a beach culture life. With only a week-and-a-half left
in our shared adventure, we are making the most of EVERYTHING- keen to
explore new places with new friends in all of our waking hours…
For now, the summer sun is calling, and I am heading out to make the most
of our time in relaxed, surfy Byron.
More from us as we head south to take on surfing!
Holly

We are all sitting in a gorgeous house on the beach of Railay in southern
Thailand. The mood is relaxed, tired, homey, and hungry. We have spent
the entire day diving and snorkeling around the islands of Phi Phi. We saw
hundreds of tropical fish, eels, corals, sea cucumbers, and one very cool
turtle. As I look around at my friends who are enjoying this quiet time;
some are reading, others have just cooked pasta, some are sleeping on
oversized cushions, and others are writing post cards home…I am amazed
that we began this adventure as strangers. Everything is so comfortable
and simple. Everyone is so close and the only thing breaking the silence
is our laughter at silly inside jokes and funny memories. Tomorrow we
spend the day celebrating our new friendships and getting ready for some
hard goodbyes. It is going to be a good day but an emotional one as well.
But for tonight I will simply enjoy my friends and this moment that we
have together. Love you all very much!
-Hillary

A few lovely pics of the group on their first morning exploring the temples…

Thus far we have spent 8 days in the country that is shaped like a frying
pan, flat and hot and ringed by mountains. There are rice fields as far as
the eye can see and the horizon is dotted by sugar palms. Our time has
been productive: we have built a toilet, a house, painted a mural, worked
with the Meas family at their Hope for Happiness school, danced with the
kids of Epic Arts, read books to the kids of Chumkriel Language School and
played soccer with the kids from the Khmer Development of Freedom
orphanage.
The best way to describe the people of this amazing country is kind. They
are truly kind people. In a world where simple kindness is often
underrated it is such a joy and privilege to be treated so beautifully.
Our trip has been full of gorgeous moments but the last 8 days have been
truly divine. Tonight we watch the sunset over Angkor Wat and dine
together under the stars!
-Hillary

A new ethnicity gawks at us as we cross the border town that separates
Vietnam from our final country of Cambodia. The people here, the majority
of whom do not have electricity or toilets in their homes, have suffered
through genocide and oppression. But for now they lie in hammocks under
brightly decorated trucks, surrounded by flooded rice fields. It is a calm
scene and we seem to be the spectacle even though a motorbike which is
carrying a giant pile of candy, jars, baskets, and whatever else is heaped
so high that the driver is almost obscured form view. Finally we are in
Cambodia!
-Oliver

There is a certain air about the Meas Family that almost cannot be
explained. When we arrived at their home we were tired and sweaty, but
they welcomed us. Soon, after snacks and tea, it became our home too! We
played scrabble, helped with dishes, even did laundry by hand! There is
nothing quite as nice as helping clear the table, or simply putting away
the dishes, crazy as that sounds. The comforts and routine of a home,
especially in such a chill place as Cambodia have been oh-so refreshing
after a month and a half of adventures. I can’t wait to see what else
Cambodia has in store for us!
-Monica

Saying goodbye to the Meas Family was really sad. We all had such positive
experiences while we were there so it was hard to leave it all behind.
After lots of hugs and promises of the future we ventured to Rabbit
Island. A small island packed with bamboo huts and relaxed foreigners
along the beach. Once we were sufficiently burnt we piled into the boats
and floats back to shore. Next stop: Kampot! First on the list was a
dance workshop with Epic Arts, an NGO that supports deaf and disabled
people in the community. The entire group had the best time. All the kids
who lead the workshop were amazing people and got us to really let go and
just dance! We had some silly activities as well; wheelbarrow races and
“dancing with the wind.”. Needless to say, everyone left the workshop in
great spirits and tomorrow we get right down to business and build a house!
-Mica

On our penultimate night in New Zealand, enveloped by a cold and silent
darkness in Mt. Cook Village, we are snuggled inside our hostel as snow
gently swoops down outside. Although we have yet to see Australasia’s
highest peak and the Southern Alps remain hidden in the weather, there is
no way to mistake that we are amongst giants. The mountain air feels fresh,
frosty and full of life. Teasing us with brief moments of clarity, ridges,
buttresses and glaciers appear though the cloud offering but a hint of the
monstrous summits they behold. This small hostel in this quaint mountain
town feels strangely like home tonight. Not because of the familiarity of
the building or because we are so practiced at this hostelling thing by
now… Not because of the cozy couches huddled around glowing fireplaces or
the comforting log-cabin feel. But because we have gotten used to life on
the road.
We make our home wherever we are – for one night, two nights, or a week at
most. Our home is a portable one fuelled by family-style meals
shared around pushed-together tables and a unique language of personal
jokes and unspoken understandings. Although we miss our families and our
more permanent, ‘real’ homes, it is nice to know that as we travel to a
new and different country we can take with us the familiarity of this
‘home-away-from-home.’
Over and out from Aotearoa / New Zealand – we’ll say g’day next from
Australia…
Holly

We had an awesome time at Nelson Lakes – with wonderful DOC staff Sandra,
John, Paul, and the rat grid people. Had one full day of rain, but we made
plant cages in the workshop while rocking out to some great tapes that have
probably been in DOCs portable stereo for years. The rest of the week we
did some clearing of tracks on the rat grid, planted flax near the stream,
cleaned Cummings Cottage and did work on the Mt Robert circuit track, with
an overnight in the lodge that everyone LOVED! We got in some retro ski
gear and managed to find some patches of snow and have a run or two for the
eager skiiers amongst us. On our last day we drove off down the West Coast
in gorgeous light, which made the rugged headlands and sweeping beaches
look incredible.

More soon from crazy Queenstown, Holly

I woke up around 7 to go downstairs for our complimentary breakfast which
was an amazing buffet. Mica and I sat outside under umbrellas overlooking
rice fields with people working and it was surreal. It started to pour
down rain but the umbrella kept us and our food dry. It was so beautiful
and after about 5 minutes it stopped and the rice field workers continued
to work. The rest of the day was filled with fun. Picking up our custom
designed and fitted clothes, eating the best Quangs noodles for one last
time, and to a picnic/fashion/talent shown to end our last evening in Hoi
An. Needless to say our time in Nam has been extremely relaxing and just
as fun as Thailand and Laos. I’m still not sure which one I like better.
But I do know Tiger beer is my favorite and will forever be in my heart!
- Jonica

When you think of Vietnam what is the first thing that comes to mind?
“Rice hats!” -Charlotte
“Busy and industrious people.” -Elyse
“Dragons!” -Mica
“Back in Nam!” -Pete
“Famers in the rice fields.” -Lily
“Motorbikes.” -Liz
“Springrolls, yumm..” -Monica
“Everything moves.” -HHW
“Friendly people and the contrast between the citiesmand the rural
countryside.” -Mel
“Vietnam.” -Sammy
“Busy people and Quangs noodles.” -Rachel
“Fresh and yummy foods!” -Hillary

I adore Vietnam! This country is crazy, fun, kind, and complex. I have
enjoyed all the things we have done here. Especially the visit to the Life
Start Foundation in Hoi An. Seeing the ways this small organization helps
change the lives of disabled women and street children is truly inspiring.
We are off to Cambodia in 48 hours to meet the Meas family and continue
our adventure. Much love to you all, Southeast Asia over and out!
-Hillary

Holly: The intensity of the wind atop ridges, at times stopping each of us in our tracks…literally unable to move against it’s force! Crazy!

Leslie: Sleeping beneath all the stars and the milky way, and then waking up to the sunrise!

Nick: The last day where we hiked up to the highest point – where the wind was blowing really hard, and we hard to walk across snow to reach the trail end…and our van.

Charlotte: Crawling on my hands and knees in the cave with my heavy backpack on!

Jason: Climbing to the high mountains on our last day and penguin sliding down the snow!

Becca: Hiking off trail…and the views…and navigating my way through the cave with Laura and Kate.

Nate: Sunset on the night hike…and the stunning view of the surrounding mountains.

Laura: Panicking in the cave with Kate when we thought we went the wrong way…then hitting wetas with my sleeping pad << didn’t Holly tell you they’re a protected native species??! Rachel

Kate: Stopping midway through the night hike to lie down and look at millons of bright stars that none of us had ever seen before…they were amazing.

Will: Taking my “nudy-dip” in the waterfall…chilly yest so so refreshing.

J-Tizzle (Joey): Getting out of that god-forsaken cave (finally), seeing the surrounding forest, and thinking I was in Narnia!

Eddie: Swimming in the mountain lake and penguin sliding on the snow.

Rachel & Scott: Kahu’s poignant words of wisdom to the group as we farewelled them from Nelson!

Photos coming soon….

I am sitting in an Internet cafe surrounded by 17 Vietnamese teenagers who
are feverishly playing video games and listening to techno music at at least
twice the volume necessary. They are all dressed in cool jeans, ironed
shirts, and most drove up on motorbikes 3-4 people per bike. As I am highly
caffeinated (Vietnamese coffee is amazing) I am finding this environment
really exciting. A perfect place for me to vibrate around while doing
emails, writing letters, and generally absorbing the hectic beauty that is
Hanoi. I have loved this city for years, it remains my favorite big city in
all of Southeast Asia. Jasmine described it perfectly when she said that is
was like NYC but more people and less organized. My crazy heart is at home
in this 1,000 year old metropolis!
-Hillary

As we’re preparing to leave Laos after a very relaxing 9 days, I think we’re
all thinking about how much we will miss the laid back and easy going
culture of the Laotian people. Whether we were joining Buddhist parades and
dogding firecrackers, or watching the procession of monks snake through the
streets of Luang Prabang at dawn, the country proved to be a very relaxing
atmosphere for us all/ We were taught patience when our food arrived hours
after ordering, it is hard to let things get you down in a place where you
are always greeted with a smile and a friendly “Sabaidee.” As much as I
will miss Laos and its natural beauty I cannot wait to be thrown into the
busting streets and history of Vietnam!
-Charlotte

Goodbye Laos, the 9 days we spent together have been outrageous. We ate our
meals with our sweaty dirty filled hands on banana leaves, over-cooked our
skin on the Nam Tha River, bathed with beautiful babies in the village of
Khone Kam, and danced in the Buddhist “End of Rainy” Season Parade in Luang
Prabang. Everyday was filled with something exciting and new for all of us
and now we are a family more than ever. We are off to Vietnam and I can’t
even imagine the type of adventures that are waiting for us!
-Mica

Though we have not said “Good Morning Vietnam” we are on our way. Laos will
be missed before we got to know it well…9 days is to short! We spent 3
days along the Nam Tha and Mekong Rivers, this simplified for me the world
into 3 parts: the powerful tan waters, the every-color green mountains, and
the tall blue sky. Today in Hanoi we traded the hum of motorboats for the
sound of mopeds honking on congested streets. Traded naked children playing
in the river for masses of stylish people. As Cono Dennis says “Sometimes
you have to trade in something good to get something better.”
-Hurricane, quote taken from “No Hill for a Stepper”, page 34″

Vietnam Thoughts:
“Our guides in Sapa, Su and Mai…gorgeous tiny women with giant smiles!”
-Hillary
“Tall. Tall rocks in the bay. Tall mountains in Sapa, and tall buildings.”
-Hurricane
“Colorful and Chaotic” -Liz
“Su and Mai, when I think of Vietnam I will always think of them.”
-Charlotte
“Dragon, Phoenix, Unicorn, Turtle.” -Sammy
“Kissing chickens and descending dragons.” -Mica
“Spring rolls” -Elyse
“Profoundly different, chaotic, and of its own essence entirely.” -Monica
“Ha Long Bay was amazing. I am excited to explore the next few cities here
and learn more about the culture and history.” -Mel
“Beautiful scenery ranging from green terraced rice fields to the pristine
waters and limestone cliffs of Ha Long Bay.” -Lily
“Rugged mountains, rolling rivers, terraced rice fields, to inviting emerald
waters spotted with towering limestone islands.” -Rachel
“The search for this person ‘Nyugen’ character remains futile. If the real
Mr./Ms. Nyugen is reading this I will find you!” -Oliver
“Turtles, bears, laughing Buddhas, and fighting chickens. Giant stone
guardians forever watching over elusive squids.” -Jazzy
“From the amazing food to the surreal views its easy to say that Vietnam is
not only beautiful and fun but a time we won’t ever forget!” -Jonica
“Crazed motorbikes slamming on the horns while weaving through traffic and
the never-ending breathtaking scenery.” -Pete

Before we head off into the bush for a week of ‘tramping’ (hiking, in kiwi
talk) through beech forest and rugged mountain tops in the karst landscape
of Kahurangi National Park, here’s a few words from the crew…

The highlight of the trip so far has been…

Willy C – traveling and seeing the beautiful countryside, with awesome
islands in crazy blue water, especially at the Bay of Islands.

J-Tizzle (Joey T) – our time camping, especially in the Bay of Islands -
being away from civilization really gave us all time to get to know each
other! YES!!

Nick Y – white-water rafting when I fell in the water, and walking to the
top of Mt. Victoria and sight-seeing and being given the nickname “papa -
bear.”

Eddie S – probably the rock climbing gym in National Park Village.

Jacqui V – when we were in the Bay of Islands – the views were so pretty and
it was good helping the Dept of Conservation crew with everyone in the
group!

Nate G-T – white-water rafting and the Bay of Islands. Urupukapuka was
gorgeous.

Kate R – the beautiful view we had from the campsite at the Bay of Islands.

Becca G – working in the Bay of Islands and seeing the views from the trails
as well as from the hills surrounding our campsite.

Laura N – working with lambs on the BEAUTIFUL Bay of Islands, along with
growing close to each and every member of this lovely group!

Jason M – the one-on-one bonding occasionally with someone from the group
and getting to know them better. The group is starting to grow on me.

Leslie P – working in the beautiful Bay of Islands with all the adorable
lambs! Watching rugby has been awesome too!

Charlotte F – the day we worked with the sheep at Bay of Islands. I have
also enjoyed the delicious meals we cook and eat together.

Holly F – relaxing and chatting in a natural hot springs next to the rushing
Waikaito River in Taupo, after a big day of “shweebing” and white-water
rafting action!

For now, we head into the wild! More from us when we return to the lovely
Nelson at the end of this expedition…